Santa Anita Golf Course

The San Gabriel Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for this surprisingly challenging public track that plays longer than its yardage suggests due to elevation changes and strategic bunkering. The greens roll true despite heavy municipal play, and the par-4 finishing hole demands a precise approach to a severely sloped putting surface that can turn birdies into bogeys in a heartbeat. For the price point in the pricey LA market, you'll find few courses that offer this much character and mountain drama just minutes from the 210 freeway.